President Bola Tinubu has vowed his administration’s determination to overcome the country’s security challenges through sustained reforms, including improved salaries and welfare for the armed forces and police personnel.
Addressing the mammoth crowd of party faithful at Dutse Township Stadium, the President said his administration was strengthening the security agencies to protect lives and property across the country.
According to a release by his spokesman, Bayo (Onanuga, the President said “I promise you, we are working hard to ensure that Nigeria is safe and our forces are well taken care of, regardless of where they come from.
“We will conquer insecurity. We’ve been through many wars. We will defeat our enemies. Enemies of unity, Enemies of stability. Enemies of hope. I assure you that we are doing that.
“We’re strengthening the police; we’re strengthening the armed forces. We are paying better salaries today.”
He presented the All Progressives Congress campaign manifesto, “From Reforms to Prosperity,” outlining his administration’s achievements and plans in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture and security.
He said the manifesto provided a blueprint for consolidating economic reforms, expanding opportunities and delivering shared prosperity.
The President pledged to complete ongoing programmes and projects, noting that the administration’s policies were already yielding results across several sectors.
He defended removing the wasteful fuel subsidy. He said political rivals advocating for its return are only trying to deceive Nigerians, questioning how they would fund developmental projects if elected.
The President assured the people of a better future, saying withdrawing the wasteful petroleum subsidy has made several laudable projects across the country’s geopolitical zones possible.
“You have seen what we are doing. Across the country, no region is left behind. Those who think they should bring the subsidy back are liars.
“How will they pay for those commitments? How will you repair the roads? How will you maintain them? How will you function,’ the President queried.
Tinubu also pledged further support for small-scale farmers through financing, mechanisation and irrigation.
“We will reward small-scale farmers. Interest-free loans for farmers are coming. Prosperity is coming. Food security will happen,” he said.
Thanking the people of Jigawa for their loyalty and support, the President urged them to participate actively in the forthcoming general elections and vote for APC candidates at all levels.
Before the rally, Tinubu commissioned the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Multi-Purpose Skills Acquisition Centre and the Renewed Hope Technical Services Centre. He also virtually commissioned the three-kilometre dualised Old Police Station–Palace Road in Dutse.
The President also commissioned 400 tractors and other agricultural equipment procured by the state government to support mechanised farming and strengthen food sufficiency and security.
In his welcome address, Governor Umar Namadi commended Tinubu’s development initiatives in Jigawa and across Northern Nigeria.
He highlighted the Greater Hadejia Water Project, which he said was 60 per cent completed, the Katsina–Maradi rail line, and federal interventions in education, agriculture and social welfare.
The governor thanked the President for approving the establishment of Federal Colleges of Education in Dutse and Hadejia.
Namadi particularly lauded Tinubu for fulfilling his promise to the late Emir of Dutse, Dr Nuhu Muhammad Sunusi, during the 2023 campaign to tackle the acute water shortage in Dutse and for approving the establishment of Federal educational institutions in the State.
He also commended the President for establishing NELFUND, from which thousands of Jigawa students have benefited, as well as the Conditional Cash Transfer that brought succour to several indigent families in the State.
